The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-02-02
THs NEW Roam SppERylSnR.

We try our best to think well of
the government under which we
live, and at times almost succeed in
deludiug ourselves into the belief
that the affairs Of the nation are
regulated by men of brains and
ability; because it is very much
against our grain to be constantly
scolding and finding fault, and
vastly more agreeable to write words
of commendatiOn. u r., indeed.
But every now and then we are
suddenly confronted with some ridi-
culously stupid act, that tor a time
completely dispels the delusion, and
makes it extremely hard to be
patient and say soft words.
The latest occurrence Of this kind
is the appointment of the new Road
Supervisor. To us, having known
the new appointee for series of
years, it is really surprising that the
Minister of 1nterior--a gentleman
whom we have always considered in
the front rank of native talent and
shrewdness-should have made the
appointment. Is the Minister'S
head losing its accustomed balance?
Mr.. Alapai is certainly conspicuous
in his community for certain pccu-
liarities, but mot for any manifesto
ton of the essentials OF an efficient
Road Supervisor, His friends and
neighbors have never suspected him
of possessing qualifications of that
particular nature. Indeed, one Of
them was so satisfied cf the gentle
mans total inability to fulfil the
duties of the Office, that he positively
declined TO admit that there was
any truth in the rumor, when it was
put in circulation last Saturday,
giving as his reason, that the
Minister of Interior could not COM
NIT such mistake. Now, il Mr..
Hart wouldpcrsistin hisresignation--
who, by the way, did about as well
as the means at his disposal and his
superiors would permit--and it was
deemed imperative, in pursuance OF
the ayowed policy Of Hawaii for
the Hawaians," )" to appoint q native
Hawaiian rs his successor, it was no
hard task to find, at short notice, n
dozen natives better qualified for
the Office than the one who has re-
ceived the appointment.
This is our candid and conscien-
tious opinion. But would probably
not have expressed it, preferring
rather to have allowed the man to
be judged by his works of at least q
few weeks in Office, were it not for
information just received from q
credible source, respecting the new
incumbcnt's proceedings on the first
day of his term, yesterday. 1t is
pretty generally known that Lilihc
street has been for some time past
in about the worst condition OF any
thoroughfare in this city; that {
definite sum of money was voted by
the last Legislature to put it in re-
pair; and that squad Of prisoner:
have been recently at work upon it,
throwing up earth to allow necessary
drainage, and forming n foundation
for q covering of coral. Well, tho
new Road Supervisor paid II visit tc
the spot yesterday, and gave audi
ble expression to the opinion thai
the street is good enough for it,
traffic, that Palama road should hay,
first attention, and that operations
on Liliha street should cease a
once. 1t may be added, that thu
immediate effect on certain Of tht
residents in that locality, was Il aud
den cbullition of uncomplimentarN
words, that could not have been the
most du!cet of music to the ears o
Mr.. Alapai. \ very small percent
age of common sense is all that i,
needed to detectthe stupidity of leay
ing piece Of road on which WORK
has commenced, in an unfinished
condition, and that condition so bat
as to render the road almost impass.
able, to effect repairs elsewhere,
where they are no more urgently re,
quired.
For the sake OF the Road Super
visor, the roads, and the public We
fcryently hope this first days pro,
ceedins may not be fair sample Of